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Guitarist known as J. Geils found dead in Massachusetts home
WCBV ^ | 11 April 17

Posted on 04/11/2017 4:46:17 PM PDT by Drew68

GROTON, Massachusetts —

5 Investigates has learned John Warren Geils Jr., the artist known professionally as J. Geils and part of the rock group The J. Geils Band, was found dead in his Groton, Massachusetts home.

He was 71.

Geils and the band are best known for their album, "Freeze Frame" and the song "Centerfold," which hit No. 1 for six weeks.

Geils formed the band during his time at Worcester Polytechnic Institute, where he studied mechanical engineering.

At Worcester, he formed J. Geils Blues Band with Danny Klein, Magic Dick Salwitz, Stephen Jo Bladd, and Peter Wolf, with Seth Justman becoming the last member before the band released its debut album in 1970.

The J. Geils Band was influenced by soul music and rhythm and blues, but it moved toward pop and rock by the time the album "Love Stinks" came out in 1980.

After 11 albums, the band's 12th album, "Freeze Frame," hit No. 1 on the Billboard charts for four weeks in 1981 and remained on the chart for 70 weeks. The title track "Freeze Frame" made it to No. 4.

While on tour, opening acts for the band included the Eagles, Billy Joel, ZZ Top and U2.

The band broke up a few years later.

Geils has called Groton his home for 35 years.


TOPICS: News/Current Events; US: Massachusetts
KEYWORDS: groton; jgeils; jgeilsband; music; musicians
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To: musicman

Best song from J. Geils Band:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uPAj19vHPNc

Must have got lost!


61 posted on 04/11/2017 5:30:20 PM PDT by poinq
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To: Drew68

But I just saw him on “Angie Tribeca” last night and he looked fine. Didn’t look anywhere near 71.


62 posted on 04/11/2017 5:30:31 PM PDT by HartleyMBaldwin
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To: Ammo Republic 15

Our dad kept me & my bros in crewcuts, so I woulda had no place to put flowers other than in my ears.


63 posted on 04/11/2017 5:32:00 PM PDT by LouieFisk
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To: SamAdams76

Bonzo Bonham??? Zepp drummer


64 posted on 04/11/2017 5:33:27 PM PDT by hsmomx3
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To: Cowgirl of Justice

How did the folks take it?


65 posted on 04/11/2017 5:34:01 PM PDT by wally_bert (I didn't get where I am today by selling ice cream tasting of bookends, pumice stone & West Germany)
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To: Drew68
Couldn't agree more. My two sons who are in their mid 20s prefer bands like Lynyrd Skynyrd, Journey and Pink Floyd to the music of today. That rock era produced some timeless music. While some good music still gets made today, the rock era pretty much ended in the mid 1990s with the "grunge" movement.

Speaking of The Ramones, I was over at 315 Bowery just this afternoon and I was remembering how bands like Ramones, Talking Heads, Blondie and even The Police got their start there. Formerly known as CBGBs.

66 posted on 04/11/2017 5:35:22 PM PDT by SamAdams76
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To: Figment
Yes, much better than the pop slop of the early 80’s

The pop slop made them millionaires.

67 posted on 04/11/2017 5:35:29 PM PDT by Drew68 (#TeamBannon)
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To: Drew68
RIP🎸
68 posted on 04/11/2017 5:35:30 PM PDT by TADSLOS (Reset Underway!)
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To: Drew68

Few Americans have heard the J. Geils Band’s 14th and final album, after Peter Wolf left the band. “You’re Gettin’ Even While I’m Gettin’ Odd” was only released on CD in Japan, but was released on vinyl and cassette in Europe and the US for a short time, but was deleted after a few months and never reissued.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/You%27re_Gettin%27_Even_While_I%27m_Gettin%27_Odd

Which is a pity, because it had several good tracks. My favorite is the very unusual title track, “You’re Gettin’ Even While I’m Gettin’ Odd”, which can be heard on YouTube.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=elTHvdDHdOM


69 posted on 04/11/2017 5:35:40 PM PDT by yefragetuwrabrumuy (Leftists aren't fascists. They are "democratic fascists", a completely different thing.)
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To: Drew68

Thanks for the music. Rest In Peace.


70 posted on 04/11/2017 5:36:54 PM PDT by OwenKellogg (Merry Christmas!)
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To: Drew68

I was in Navy boot camp when Centerfold hit top 40. Dec 1981.


71 posted on 04/11/2017 5:37:12 PM PDT by Blood of Tyrants (Conservatives love America for what it is. Liberals hate America for the same reason.)
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To: Drew68

His memory has just been sold ...


72 posted on 04/11/2017 5:38:06 PM PDT by NorthMountain (The Democrats ... have lost their grip on reality -DJT)
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To: Drew68

“Geils formed the band during his time at Worcester Polytechnic Institute, where he studied mechanical engineering.”

Now there’s a line you don’t read too often in the same sentence as a rock star’s name these days...


73 posted on 04/11/2017 5:38:59 PM PDT by ameribbean expat
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To: Drew68
Saw him in concert at college in 1971 during Fall Weekend.
He followed a talk by Ralph Nader.
74 posted on 04/11/2017 5:40:50 PM PDT by AU72
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To: poinq

Or another oldie but a goodie:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UDU3evB5_K8

Give it to me!


75 posted on 04/11/2017 5:43:55 PM PDT by poinq
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To: 4yearlurker

I saw quite a few shows in the Spectrum in the 70s and 80s-The Dead, Dylan, Neil Young, Rush, The Who, BOC, The Outlaws,U2, AC/ DC, and many others.


76 posted on 04/11/2017 5:44:11 PM PDT by Freestate316 (Know what you believe and why you believe it.)
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To: Drew68

I have a red “Bloodshot” album. Saw them with Johnny Winter and Yes. Greg Allman was guest keyboardist. He was so wasted Magic Dick had to help him with the words to “One Way Out”.


77 posted on 04/11/2017 5:46:00 PM PDT by printhead (I need a new tagline. Happy days are here again.)
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To: SamAdams76
My two sons who are in their mid 20s prefer bands like Lynyrd Skynyrd, Journey and Pink Floyd to the music of today.

I'm 48 and in the Navy surrounded by lots of people 25+ years younger than me. They all like classic rock. And they all know the music. Creedence is really popular. Floyd and Zeppelin are timeless. Even 70s country like Hank Jr and Merle always is a hit.

78 posted on 04/11/2017 5:46:21 PM PDT by Drew68 (#TeamBannon)
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To: billorites

I think that was the very first album I ever bought. I think I still have it as MP3s.


79 posted on 04/11/2017 5:46:50 PM PDT by McGruff (You break it, you bought it)
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To: wally_bert

They were cool about it but we lived in a small town. My sister had a huge personality and didn’t care what anyone thought. She moved on to greater things while most of the people who looked down on her are still wondering why the hot water heater in their trailer isn’t heating anymore or why the hot dogs they buy still turn the water pink when they are boiled.


80 posted on 04/11/2017 5:49:19 PM PDT by Cowgirl of Justice
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